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Major Incident in Bristol Disrupts Adult NHS Services: What Residents Need to Know
A fire at the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre has triggered a system-wide major incident, limiting adult emergency care and prompting calls for residents to seek alternatives where possible.
How we reported this
A system-wide major incident has been declared in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire after a fire at the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre caused severe disruption to adult NHS services.
Why the declaration matters for local residents
The incident directly affects how adults in the area access emergency care. With the adult Emergency Department at Bristol Royal Infirmary restricted to minor injuries and walk-in conditions, patients who need admission are being sent to other South West Emergency Departments. This change means longer travel times for some residents and requires careful decisions about when to seek hospital help.
Services that remain available
Not every hospital department is affected. The Bristol Eye Hospital and the Children's Hospital Emergency Department continue to operate normally, providing reassurance for eye-related issues and paediatric cases. Residents with children or eye concerns can still use these facilities without the same restrictions applied to adult general emergency care.
Guidance for using emergency services
Authorities are urging patients across the region to attend A&E only for genuine emergencies. For non-emergency conditions, alternatives such as NHS 111 or local minor injuries units are recommended. This approach aims to keep the limited capacity at Bristol Royal Infirmary focused on the most urgent adult cases that cannot be diverted elsewhere.
How to receive updates
Local emergency information is available through established channels including BBC Radio Bristol on 94.9FM and 104.6FM, BBC Points West, ITV West, the Bristol City Council homepage and its Twitter account. Residents are advised to monitor these sources for any further changes to service availability.
The current restrictions highlight the importance of following official advice during the incident. By using the recommended alternatives for less urgent needs, residents can help maintain capacity for critical adult cases while the disruption at the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre continues.